#437
Helmut
Episode 437
“Hey, Helmut. “It feels like it’s been a while since I last saw you.”
On my way out of the Archduke’s office, I ran into Xian, who had a somewhat blank face.
After looking around, he waved his hand and pretended to know Helmut.
Even though he was a wizard under his direct control, Helmut had completely forgotten his existence.
“I enjoyed your performance. It was clearly visible from afar. “It’s so impressive.”
“It did. you?”
The question was about how he was doing, but Sian seemed to interpret it as a rebuke.
With an aggrieved expression on his face, he pointed his finger at his face.
“Look at how much weight I’ve lost on my face. I didn’t play. I had such a hard time cultivating support magic from behind. I poured all my strength into magic. Besides, I helped treat the injured just a moment ago! “Is this enough to pay for my salary?”
It seemed like the criticism that he was eating his salary day by day had really stung him.
Helmut answered simply in one word.
“great job.”
If you’re the deputy head of Greta Academy’s magic department, you’re a wizard of a level that can do your job no matter how shabby you are. There was a natural expectation that I would do my part.
However, as if she had expected to receive a compliment, Sian’s expression showed a hint of disappointment.
No, that’s not it. Helmut realized where his disappointment came from.
‘I guess they wanted a raise in salary.’
He seemed to be looking around for some reason, so he seemed to be expecting some special treatment.
Helmut opened his mouth a moment later.
“There will be a reward soon. “Your name will also be on the reward list.”
Helmut couldn’t know that, but if Sian had fought as hard as I said, someone would have recognized him.
It is true that the Archduke said that there will be a reward.
“Oh, really?”
Sian’s eyes sparkled. He was the poorest of the four.
Even during my academy days, I lived frugally, so I can’t help but be greedy for money.
He said, clenching his fists as if he was motivated.
“good. “I’ll see you later then.”
Helmut pondered those words as he watched his back suddenly disappear.
“later?”
What do you mean by seeing me in the evening?
Sian is still at work. Although he was a direct wizard, Helmut had Area attached to him, so there was no need for another wizard, so Xian was used for various purposes.
But then, Helmut would be attending the banquet.
Time passed quickly.
In the evening, Helmut and Alea, dressed in a dress, headed to the place where the banquet was held.
Area had a shadow on her face when she returned after disappearing somewhere.
She explained the reason to Helmut, who asked her what had happened.
“Heike and Antiol, neither of them can be contacted.”
Isn’t the sacred barrier particularly Antiol’s specialty? Area first contacted him through the crystal ball, but there was no news.
It was the same with Heike. This is my first time like this.
‘What’s going on?’
The only thing that poses a threat to them is the temple. And the temple must have been busy restoring their half-destroyed sanctuary.
There was no way the two would be in danger, and I could only assume that something had happened to distract the two archmages.
“I left a message, so let’s wait a few more days. “If you don’t hear any news, you can just go find me.”
She concluded clearly.
“Let us enjoy the dinner.”
Since it was a banquet, Helmut, who thought it was only for the Archduke’s family, soon fell into an unexpected mood.
A huge table was set up in a medium-sized hall, and a banquet was being held there.
Since there are injured people, the first thing to do is to have a small celebration.
I arrived on time, but everyone was already seated.
Food was being carried onto the table one by one. No one had touched the food yet.
“You’re here. “Please sit down.”
The Grand Duke’s heavy voice rang out. Helmut’s gaze moved as he bowed his head to him.
Archduchess Rinosa, who had been avoiding meeting Helmut until now, and Michael.
It was predicted that those two would attend. But from Alonso to Xian.
‘That’s why I told you to leave later.’
Sian, who was talking to Alonso, who was sitting across from him, in a fairly friendly manner, waved his hand in this direction.
However, as if he was aware that it was not his place, he quickly lowered his hand.
Aside from being the leader of the Black Wing Knights, Xian, who is just a hired wizard, is not in a position to be involved here.
Seeing him there, I could feel the Archduke’s intentions.
By inviting his friend Xian, the Archduke reminds him that although this is a place to celebrate victory, it is also a place for Helmut.
‘I understand the intention, but.’
Gradually, he gives power to Helmut and solidifies his position as his successor.
Helmut was not used to the Archduke turning to his allies.
“Come on, let’s sit down.”
Area pulled his arm. Helmut moved on from where he had stopped.
The Archduke and the Archduchess sat side by side at the end of the table, Helmut was on the other side of the Archduke, and Area was next. Sian was sitting next to Area.
The seat next to the Grand Duchess was occupied by Michael. It is a place facing Helmut.
He quickly avoided eye contact. He looked better than before.
“It’s late.”
As soon as they were seated, Charlotte appeared, greeted them, and sat down. It was next to Michael.
Michael didn’t even look at her, let alone say hello.
He used to pretend to be honest in front of the Archduke, but now he seemed to have no intention of doing so.
Just being here is amazing. Of course, it may not have been his will.
“I am just happy that we have safely overcome the crisis of Rinosa and decorated this event with victory. Now, let’s eat to our heart’s content.”
After the Archduke’s words fell, they began eating only then.
Grand Duchess Linosa put her hand to the food with a calm face.
Unlike Michael, who avoided eye contact, her eyes never met Helmut’s.
As the mistress of the Grand Duchy of Rinosa, she had always led such situations, but today she was passive.
Magritte’s seemingly peaceful mind was complicated.
The son she abandoned protected Linosa.
The justification for the temple was Helmut, but it was power that made it possible to put forward that justification.
Helmut denied power by destroying the temple.
He was a winner, and that was his proof as Linosa’s successor.
Not only that, Helmut has shown himself to be flawless.
Walking the path that she ignored and closed her eyes because she thought it was difficult, I revived it and walked it again.
It was like that from the beginning. Won the martial arts competition. Helmut returned and proudly walked into Linosa, proving everything he was capable of.
The darkness that surrounded him was dazzling than the light.
It was a halo worthy of one human being, the would-be monarch of Rinosa.
Four years ago, was the choice I made back then really the best one?
It may be that, at a time when the Archduke was absent, the burden of responsibility for Linosa was too heavy and they were afraid, so they threw away Helmut.
Seeing the empire, Basor, and many others supporting Helmut, and through this incident, Magritte questioned his own choice for the first time.
That question turned into a feeling of guilt that pierced my heart.
But it was something that could not be undone. Helmut, who shines so brightly, may be Linosa’s successor, but he will never be her son again.
It was a late regret.
Magritte did not dare to make eye contact with Helmut.
Charlotte spoke to Helmut.
“It’s a pity that I couldn’t help you. “The enemies couldn’t even get close to the castle.”
It was Charlotte who had to stay on the grounds that someone was needed to guard the castle.
She had to wait anxiously in the castle for news from the battlefield. It was an extremely unfortunate thing for her as a prosecutor.
Helmut answered indifferently.
“No, but because you were there, I was able to stop worrying about Wangseong.”
It is not wrong to say that Charlotte’s role is actually to keep the Archduchess and Michael in check.
She did her part well.
However, a smile spread across Charlotte’s face as she took those words literally.
“I’m glad you say that.”
But then, a blatant snort was heard.
It was Michael.
It was an extremely annoying conversation from his perspective, as he had done nothing and was unable to do anything.
In a war where such absolute powers clash, what can Michael do without even commanding authority?
All he can do is protect himself within the castle.
Michael opened his mouth sarcastically.
“Even if we won, we wasted a huge amount of manpower and finances on a fruitless war, but we won, so it’s okay.”
“Michael.”
The Grand Duchess quietly restrained her son. The Archduke coldly questioned.
“You mean you have no income?”
He immediately pointed out in a stern tone.
“Rinosa has achieved sword mastery. “Do you have that kind of income?”
The most necessary quality for Rinosa’s successor: swordsmanship.
Michael’s eyes, which could never be filled, trembled.
Jealousy and inferiority complex. It was a deep-rooted feeling for him.
He is the same when it comes to fighting unprofitable battles.
However, it was unavoidable that I had to open my mouth, unable to overcome my twisted feelings.
“And there could be more income than that. “Finish your meal.”
The Archduke’s words sounded like a warning.
Michael lowered his head and looked at his plate.
Helmut knew what the income was beyond what he said.
Strictly speaking, the temple retreated, not surrendered to defeat in the war.
Since Rinosa couldn’t attack the temple, it wasn’t easy to pay the price for defeat.
It seemed that way, but in fact, they had a way to get compensation.
High Priest Agato.
All they had to do was demand a huge amount of compensation from the temple in exchange for the hostages. There are many other conditions attached to it.
Even though Michael didn’t know that fact yet.
Xian, who witnessed the discord in the Grand Duchy, looked around with an uncomfortable expression.
But he soon raised his fork again with the thought, ‘I don’t know.’
At least the food was good and he was hungry.
Helmut also enjoyed a leisurely meal with Area, who responded calmly.
Even this unfamiliar picture will become familiar over time.
Someday.
